Interstitial cystitis and endometriosis have been dubbed as the 'evil twins'. But what is interstitial cystitis? What are the symptoms and how can it be treated? And what is the link between the chronic conditions?

Living with endometriosis is challenging, even with a roof over your head, but how must it feel to be homeless, have endometriosis and not have any access to sanitary producst?

The government provide condoms to homeless men in shelters, but not sanitary towels - in fact, razors are more available to homeless men than sanitary products are to women. So the Homeless Period are petitioning for the government to do the same for females and are encouraging people to get involved.

Usually I try to write positive posts, that are real and honest and express my difficulties, but also show you a way out, a step in the right direction. Today I can't promise I can provide that, but perhaps just sharing this will help some feel less alone. As it's Mental Health Awareness Week, of all times, this is the best time to be honest.

If you're a regular reader, you'll know I suffer with pretty bad PMS - actually, I'll re-phrase that, TERRIBLE PMS. Of course, when you have endometriosis, your hormones are out of whack anyway, so what could normally be bad PMS, or potentially no PMS, is exasperated by the hormone imbalances and the existing endometriosis symptoms of depression, anxiety, bloating, etc, to produce, in my case, terrible PMS.

Medicinal cannabis has been shown to help alleviate pain and now Whoopi Goldberg has launched a line of cannabis infused natural products to help women with the symptoms of endometriosis and painful periods.

An endosister who has restored my hope once again is Krysta Johnson; founder of The EndoStore.The EndoStore is an online space aiming to raise awareness for endometriosis through quirky, modern and cute clothing and accessories.

The WOW festival is a UK based festival that empowers women from all cultures and backgrounds to discuss global issues affecting women today and to encourage unity and progress. One of the highlights for me was the Teens Talk Back panel, a group of four adolescent girls discussing feminism and the impact of sexism on their lives as teenagers. This inspiring team of young girls had been pushing and campaigning for compulsory sex and relationship education in schools; yet when I asked them about endometriosis, I received a blank response. These knowledgeable young girls who knew so much about the discrimination and inequality they and thousands of other girls are facing, and who had fought for sex education in schools, had never heard the word.

I don't blame them. How and why would they know? There's barely any sex education in schools as it is and most of us only receive an endometriosis education when we wake up in a hospital bed and are told we have it.

When 6pm hit, my body swept me off to She's Lost Control as fast as it could carry me (I have short legs, so it wasn't that fast). I was attending the lovely Lila Valentina's first workshop at SLC; Soul Art and couldn't wait to get creative around women who I really resonated with. The workshop was nothing short of divine creative feminine play and it was EXACTLY what I needed.

At the beginning of this week I talked about my experiences with friendships when life with endometriosis first began to get difficult - you can read all about that here. Recently, though it's been happening for a while, I've noticed I've started feeling better socially. The most important and noticeable of these changes, is the feeling that I am loved and accepted.

There's no denying it, unless you have a group of people in your life who are remarkably compassionate, understanding and accommodating, endometriosis can put a very real strain on your relationships. I felt it was important for me to share these difficulties, to raise awareness, let others feel they're not alone with their relationship struggles and to perhaps help family and friends of endometriosis warriors understand our inner battles with the disease.

In the past few months I have been using yoga for period pain. Sometimes lying in bed just leaves you to focus on the waves of pain and I find myself caught up in a frenzy of physical and mental hurt as I become more and more resentful towards my body. Yet recently I have found a series of yoga stretches designed to alleviate menstrual symptoms and so wanted to share these. I hope they bring you relief. <3

I recently attended a beautiful workshop at She's Lost Control, East London with Wolf Sister. The workshop focused on using the healing powers of the moon to set intentions for the year ahead and let go of what no longer served us. Hippy as it may sound, this evening had a powerful impact on me - I was able to forgive and let go of the pain and suffering I have endured over the past few years and re-write my story. Setting intentions may help you not only manage endometriosis better, but also change your persoective on your life and your self.

For those who celebrate Christmas, or generally celebrate the season and end of another year, most of us want to spend this time relaxing, enjoying time with friends and family and having fun. But if you have a chronic illness, it can bring up some anxiety triggers and physical symptoms.

So, to help lessen your nerves around managing endometriosis at Christmas and also make it easier to enjoy, whether you're in pain, exhausted or trying to take it easy, I've pulled together a list of lovely Christmas activities you can do alone or with company when you're feeling under the weather.

So I've potentially left some of the best looking organic period subscription boxes for last... They make me want to buy into them and feel good. What with period cramps, endo bloating and stomach problems, endometriosis doesn't really help me feel my best, so if I've got to buy a whole heap of products to help me cope with it, I want them to feel and look nice. That's what I love about these brands - their unashamed, proud and beautiful.

Paige Gibbons is one half of the infectiously fun podcast The Uterus and The Duderus. After years of pain and ineffective treatment, an encounter with Instagram changed Paige's approach to endometriosis and her journey with the disease. With the help of lifestyle adjustments and a determined and hopeful perspective, Paige is living with endometriosis in the most positive way she can and is hoping to help others do the same.

I made the change to organic period subscription boxes a couple of months back and period life has become so much easier. But it wasn't just convenience that triggered me to make the change... A wide number of the chemicals that are used in everyday products can have an affect on our hormones, reproductive organs and endometriosis. Not only are organic sanitary products these better for us, but they're better for the environment and are resulting in awesome companies founded by women and men who believe the female population have a right to know what's in the products they use and to be able to have the option of safe sanitary products. So here is Part 1 of the coolest organic period subscription boxes around.